The simulator is focused on operational parameters of a small scale off-grid PV system by means of simulation of its behaviour. The system consists of an array of PV modules, DC-DC converter, battery and a load whose characteristics are modeled. Any user can change input parameters (i.e. parameters of each system component and operational parameters) and see how the output parameters (i.e. circuit quantities) are changed. Control of the system parameters is allowed by means of a "Simulator front panel" which provides remote access the simulator interface.
The PV system is simulated using Multisim from National Instruments. The PV model is based on simple current source single diode model including parallel and series resistance modeling PV module characteristics in terms of the Standard Test Characteristics (STC). The DC-DC converter is modeled by means of idealized equivalent circuit including the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) functionality for effective utilization of the PV array in connection to the energy accumulation in batteries. The battery is represented by a model used for Lead-Acid batteries taking into account real charging and discharging characteristics. The load uses simple variable resistance model.
The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is built in LabVIEW from National Instruments and is published on-line using web publishing tool. The simulation and GUI SW are running on a computer located at Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic.
Acknowledgement:
This project was financially supported by the European Lifelong Learning Programme - Leonardo da Vinci programme under project No. CZ/11/LLP-LdV/TOI/134002 - Teaching Energy for Sustainable World (SustEner).
